Centrifugal Fluid Filtration Devices, Systems and Methods

ABSTRACT

Fluid filtration devices, systems and methods are disclosed. The device comprises, for example, an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl in fluid communication with the influent feed tube; and a plurality of radial arms having filters therein configured to rotate about an axis within the influent receiving bowl. The fluid filtration devices, which can be configured to filter a wide variety of fluids, comprises: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl in fluid communication with the influent feed tube; and a plurality of radial arms having filters therein configured to rotate about an axis within the influent receiving bowl. Additionally, methods are provided for that comprise, for example: obtaining an influent from a target source of fluid to be filtered; filtering the influent in a first filtration step; filtering the influent in a second filtration step upon receiving effluent from the first filtration step by transferring influent through a plurality of radial arms by rotating the radial arms having filters disposed therein about an axis in a filtration unit; and emitting a final filtered fluid effluent.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/803,614, filed May 31, 2006 and 60/803,616 filed May 31, 2006 whichare incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been said that “water is the oil of the 21^(st) century” becauseof its huge demand and finite supply. Although it is estimated thatgreater than 75% of the earth's surface is covered by water, only a verysmall fraction of that water is drinkable or usable without treatment.Over 96% of water is ocean, seas and bays. Of fresh water, nearly 70% istrapped in ice caps, glaciers and permanent snow. (See,www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov). Salt water, which represents the vastmajority of water, requires an expensive and energy intense desalinationprocess before it is can be used for drinking.

The U.S. has more than 97,000 water treatment facilities. The projectedannual growth rate for water treatment is 5%-8% over the next decade.Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has projectedthat this increase will come primarily from population growth and urbanexpansion. Because of increased demand, there is recognized a need toupgrade equipment used in the water treatment industry, particularly thewastewater treatment industry. Equipment installed under the Clean WaterAct of 1972 is currently approaching the end of its projected lifecycle.In addition, the water treatment standards mandated by the EPA do, fromtime to time, become more stringent.

In addition to a limited access to fresh water, we face an increasingdilemma related to energy. “By many measures, the world's energysystem”—including electricity—“is not keeping pace with the goals ofsustainable development.” In an attempt to meet these demands, “ . . .the established system generates harmful particulate and chemicalpollutants that threaten the health and the environment of the world'speople.” See, the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development atStanford University, January 2006. With respect to the United States, itis well known that our own power systems are continually faced with anever-increasing demand for more electricity. We are also confronted withthe ongoing need to produce additional electricity without increasingthe demand for more water and without further contributing to emissions.

Thus, the issues pertaining to water as a resource and energy reservesare intertwined on many levels. An April 2005 Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory Study estimated the electricity potential from methaneproduced by the anaerobic digestion of wastewater biosolids, fromIndustrial, Agriculture, and Municipal facilities. See E. O. LawrenceBerkeley National Laboratory Study, April 2005, LBNL-57451. The resultdemonstrated that, notwithstanding energy requirements to process water,the processing of water can itself be a source of energy.

Traditionally, water treatment facilities are constructed to take inwastewater as influent 102 and process it through a variety ofscreenings and treatments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, prior to thereleasing the effluent 120 to the ocean, bay, river or lake 122. Solidsand grit are removed via a bar screen 104 and a grit screen 106 and sentto a landfill 112. Wastewater that passes through the bar screen 104 andthe grit screen 106 is subjected to primary treatment 109 in a largesedimentation lagoon or tank 114. The sedimentation tank 114 enablesparticle settling or sedimentation. The sedimentation tank has aninfluent which travels in at a flow rate, Q, the influent travelsthrough the tank to an opposing end where it exits as effluent. Duringthe process of traveling from the inlet (as influent) to the outlet (aseffluent), particles settle out in a settling zone to form a sludge atthe bottom of the tank. A variety of techniques can be employed toremove the particles from the sedimentation tank that would be known tothose skilled in the art.

From the sedimentation tank 114 the sediment flows into a stabilizationlagoon or tank 116 before dewatering 118 and reuse or disposal 112′. Theeffluent flows from the sedimentation tank 114 to an aeration tank 117where it is brought into contact with air prior to transferring theeffluent to a second sedimentation lagoon 114′ as part of a secondarytreatment process 115. After secondary treatment 115 in the aerationtank 117 and sedimentation lagoon 114′, the effluent can be processedwith a final disinfectant step 121 by placing into a chlorination basin119 prior to emitting the final effluent 120 into the ocean, bay, riveror lake 122. The sedimentation can be placed into a stabilization lagoon116′ before dewatering 118, reuse or disposal 112′.

Conventional treatment technologies include, for example, a pumpeddiffusion flash mixer for chemical addition, flocculation basin,sedimentation basin and granular medium filter. The residuals from thewastewater treatment plant are returned to the source or stored inponds. For example in arid locations, drying ponds are sometimes used.More often, mechanical processing is employed in conjunction with theresiduals to reduce the volume of the residuals. Yet another treatmentmechanism that can be used after primary treatment is provided by G. E.Water & Processing Technologies and includes ZeeWeed based membranebioreactor (MBR). The ZeeWeed MBR is a basic production train thatconsists of a biological reactor, membrane basin, permeate pump, airblowers and automated control equipment. The trains are simply expandedto meet capacity requirements as needed. Membrane bioreactor systemsoffer a significantly smaller footprint and simplified operation thanthe comparable conventional activated sludge systems shown in FIG. 1.However, the systems are still quite large. (See,http://www.zenon.com/markets/wastewateri).

Currently there are several important issues facing the design ofcurrent wastewater treatment facilities for which there has been aninsufficient solution. First, most wastewater treatment facilitiesconsume a significant amount of energy during operation. Second,wastewater treatment facilities typically require a substantial amountof land. Third, wastewater treatment facilities often emit an unpleasantodor which can make them undesirable to place strategically in an urbansetting, notwithstanding the space requirements. Fourth, wastewatertreatment facilities present a potential security risk because thefacilities are part of a critical infrastructure that must be protectedto ensure an adequate supply of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is directed to a solution for wastewatertreatment which is scaleable, volume adjustable and employs centrifugalfluid filtration. Furthermore, the devices, systems and methodseliminate five separate operations typically performed in wastewatertreatment which will enable the device, systems and method of theinvention to operate in less time and in less space, at lower cost,while consuming less than one-third the electricity used to process thesame amount of wastewater using current solutions.

An object of the invention is to provide fluid filtration devices,systems and methods that combine filters, centrifugation and Coriolisacceleration induced antifouling. The devices, systems and methodsremove fluid quantitatively from constituents while removing undigestedbiosolids for the optional production of electricity and heat.

An object of the invention is to provide a system that is capable ofoperating continuously while automatically accommodating a broad rangeof influent flow volumes and/or a broad range of influent constituentconcentrations within the same multi-function continuous feed SinglePass Centrifugal Fluid Filtration Device. Further, other embodiments ofthis invention have an influent flow which may be comprised of afluid/solid matrix in which the fluid can be either a liquid or a gas,or any combination thereof, and the constituents therein can bedissolved, suspended, settleable, or particulate, or any combinationthereof.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides for a radial arm/filterunit that has filters attached to each arm in series or parallel. Theinfluent conduits of the radial arm enhance the Coriolis forces on theinfluent across the membrane medium.

In one embodiment, the present invention has back-flush capability. Thisback-flush capability may be, but is not limited to, manually and/oralgorithmically controlled, may be sequential back-flushing, orback-flushing may also balance the rotor during operation.

An aspect of the invention is directed to a fluid filtration deviceuseful for filtering fluids such as liquids or gases. The fluidfiltration device, which can be configured to filter a wide variety offluids, comprises: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl influid communication with the influent feed tube; and a plurality ofradial arms having filters therein configured to rotate about an axiswithin the influent receiving bowl.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a fluid filtration devicecomprising: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl in fluidcommunication with the influent feed tube; a plurality of radial armshaving filters therein configured to rotate about an axis within theinfluent receiving bowl; and one or more vanes which increase anefficiency with which fluid is transferred through the filtrationdevice.

Still another aspect of the invention is directed to a fluid filtrationdevice comprising: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl influid communication with the influent feed tube; and a centrifugalfilter that generates a final effluent; wherein the fluid filtrationdevice has a capacity selected from the group consisting of (a) tens ofmilliliters of a liquid per minute; (b) tens of cubic meters of gasesper minute; (c) hundreds of thousands of gallons of a liquid per day;and (d) millions of cubic meters of gases per day.

An additional aspect of the invention is directed to a fluid filtrationdevice comprising: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl influid communication with the influent feed tube; and a centrifugalfilter that generates a final effluent; wherein the fluid filtrationdevice receives energy from the influent during the filtering process.

Still another aspect of the invention is directed to a fluid filtrationdevice comprising: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl influid communication with the influent feed tube; and a centrifugalfilter that generates a final effluent; wherein the fluid filtrationdevice achieves an energy efficiency of between 10-70%.

Wastewater treatment systems are also contemplated. Wastewater systemscomprising: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl in fluidcommunication with the influent feed tube; and a centrifugal filter thatgenerates a final effluent; wherein the wastewater treatment system doesnot have one or more of a sedimentation tank, a stabilization tank, anaeration tank, a chlorination basin, or a dewatering processor.

A plurality of radial arms can be two or more, multiples of two ormultiples of three in any of the designs. Additionally, a controller canbe provided for controlling a rate at which the radial arms rotate aboutthe axis. Moreover, one or more vanes can be positioned within one ormore of the influent feed tube and radial arms to control the speed anddirection of travel of the influent. The vanes can be optimallyconfigured to enhance a Coriolis effect on the influent which has anantifouling effect as the influent crosses the filters disposed withinthe radial arms. In some configurations, an anaerobic digester can beprovided that is in communication with the fluid filtration device. Theanaerobic digester can, for example, generate methane from an undigestedbiosolids it receives from the fluid filtration device. Furthermore, adisinfector can be provided for disinfecting a filtered fluid effluentprior to emission, such as prior to emission to an external water supplysuch as an ocean, bay, river, stream, lake or subterranean water table.One or more sensors can be provided to communicate a sensed parameter toa controller.

Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a method forperforming fluid filtration. The method comprises: obtaining an influentfrom a target source of fluid to be filtered; filtering the influent ina first filtration step; filtering the influent in a second filtrationstep upon receiving effluent from the first filtration step bytransferring influent through a plurality of radial arms by rotating theradial arms having filters disposed therein about an axis in afiltration unit; and emitting a final filtered fluid effluent.Additionally, the method can further comprise obtaining an influent froma wastewater source, receiving energy from the influent during thefiltering process, using the vanes to enhance a Coriolis effect on theinfluent which has an antifouling effect as the influent crosses thefilters disposed within the radial arms, emitting an undigestedbiosolid, which can then be transferred to an anaerobic digester to, forexample, generate methane, disinfecting the filtered fluid effluentprior to emission to a water supply; and/or controlling the rate atwhich the radial arms rotate about an axis.

An additional method is directed to a system for controlling fluidfiltration. The method comprises: a fluid filtration device comprising asensor capable of measuring a parameter of the filtration measuringdevice; and an information processing system capable of analyzingparameters from the sensor. The information processing system can beconfigured to receive the parameter measured by the sensor, such aseffluent volume, effluent concentration, and effluent constituents,influent volume, influent conceritration, and influent constituents.Additionally, the central system can also comprise a central systemcapable of communicating with an information processing system, a fluidfiltration device and a sensor and/or an interactive data entry devicefor controlling a fluid filtration device in response to parameters fromthe sensor.

An additional feature of the invention is directed to a radialfiltration arm for use in a fluid filtration device comprising: anaperture at a first end for receiving a matrix; one or more filterscontained therein for filtering the matrix; a connector for engaging thefluid filtration device. The face of the filter can be configured suchthat it is parallel to a radial vector. The filters can be two or morefilters in parallel or in series. Additionally, an influent conduit canbe provided that enhances a Coriolis force of the radial filtration arm.The radial arm can be configured to achieve a balanced flow between afirst and second filter. The radial filtration arm can be configured toengage a fluid filtration device. The radial arm can also be attachableto a bowl and/or a centrifuge rotor.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of typical wastewater treatment facility;

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a diagram of a wastewater treatment facilityutilizing the fluid filtration system of the invention (FIG. 2A) and adiagram of the typical wastewater treatment facility of FIG. 1 with theoperations eliminated by this invention boxed (FIG. 2B);

FIG. 3 is a chart showing a filtration spectrum which illustrates therelative size of elements that are filtered as well as the process forseparation;

FIGS. 4A-C are side views through a vertical plane showing the flow ofthe water through a fluid filtration device according to the invention;

FIGS. 5A-E illustrate a radial arm component of the fluid filtrationsystem through a horizontal plane;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid filtration systemof the invention with stacked rotors;

FIGS. 7A-C illustrate side views of collection rings;

FIG. 8 illustrates a filtration housing unit;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram for manual or algorithmic control ofthe system;

FIG. 10 illustrates a network environment for controlling the system;

FIGS. 11A-B illustrate a computer system in which embodiments of theinvention are controlled; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the steps of a method for controllingthe system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of illustration of the concepts of the invention, thevarious features are discussed with respect to wastewater treatment.However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the teachings canbe applied to other industries such as pharmaceutical and foodprocessing. Commercial applications for this invention are numerous andinclude, but are not limited to: drinking water and wastewater treatmentfor municipalities; non-community wastewater systems and housingdevelopments; and wastewater treatment for commercial businessdevelopments, condominiums, malls, hotels/motels, office buildings,hospitals, resorts, and government and military installations.Additional applications may include, but are not limited to, isolation,separation, purification, removal, recovery, and/or concentration ofbiological components in the pharmaceutical and biotechnologyindustries. The device may also be used for water clean-up in powerplants; and water and wastewater clean-up in various industriesincluding, but not limited to, dairy, food processing, farming,agriculture, chemical, and petroleum. Additionally, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the principles disclosedherein can be applied to filtration of small quantities of fluid as wellas larger quantities of fluid without departing from the scope of theinvention. Thus, for example, invention enables a single passcentrifugal fluid filtration device of a size and dimension that iscapable of generating the required centrifugal multi-g radial forcesnecessary to process, in a single pass, fluid/solid matrix volumes assmall as, but not limited to, liquids at tens of milliliters per minuteor gasses at tens of cubic meters per minute; of a size and dimensionthat is capable of generating the required centrifugal multi-g radialforces necessary to process, in a single pass, fluid/solid matrixvolumes as large as, but not limited to, liquids at hundreds ofthousands of gallons per day or gasses at millions of cubic meters perday; or a single pass centrifugal fluid filtration device of any sizeand dimension that is capable of generating the centrifugal multi-gradial forces necessary to process, in a single pass, any desiredfluid/solid matrix volume.

Turning now to FIG. 2A, a system diagram of a wastewater treatmentfacility 200 utilizing the fluid filtration system of the invention isdepicted. As with the water treatment facility depicted in FIG. 1, thesystem is constructed to take in wastewater as influent 202 and processit through a variety of screenings and treatments prior to the releasingthe effluent 220 to the ocean, bay, river, lake or subterranean watertable 222. Solids and grit are still removed via suitable mechanismssuch as a bar screen 204 and a grit screen 206 and sent to a landfill212. Wastewater that passes through the bar screen 204 and the gritscreen 206 is placed in a holding tank 225. The holding tank 225typically experiences a continuous flow and therefore is not dependentupon the sedimentation process described with respect to the system ofFIG. 1. Unlike the sedimentation tank 114, the holding tank 225 has aminimum volume that is equal to the daily volume of the wastewatertreatment facility, plus an allowance for potential sewer systemoverflow. Accordingly the actual specifications are variable in practiceand would be determined by the end user. Overall, however, as a resultof the operation of the holding tank 225 relative to the system atlarge, it typically takes up substantially less space than the currentlyutilized tanks 114, 117, 114′, 116 and 116′ of FIG. 1. From the holdingtank 225 the wastewater is processed through a 30 μm screen 230, whichresults in the removal of additional grit which is sent to the landfill212 with the solids 208 and grit 210 from the prescreening. From the 300μm screen 230, the wastewater can optionally be run through apre-treatment process 232, as determined by the specifications of theoperator or end user and includes, but is not limited to, selectiveprecipitation. Alternatively, the wastewater can be transferred to acentrifugal fluid filtration system 240, discussed in further detailbelow, which removes additional grit 242, and undigested biosolids 244.Clean water is then released as effluent 223. The clean water can befurther processed with optional post-treatment processing, such as atrickling filter, then treated with UV light 246 to provide a finaldisinfectant of the water prior to releasing it into the ocean, bay,river, lake or subterranean water source. The 300 μm screen 230 canremove, for example, materials that fall within the macro particulaterange such as sand, hair and the like. The centrifugal fluid system 240is adapted and configured, as disclosed herein, the remove particles inthe micro particulate range, as well as some in the macro molecularrange. For the most part, particles greater than 0.1-0.2 μm can beremoved during processing in the centrifugal fluid filtration system240. These particles include, for example, e. coli, cryptosporidium,giardia cysts, and other bacteria and pathogens. Further informationabout filtering is provided in FIG. 3.

Another feature of the invention is that the undigested biosolids can betransferred to an anaerobic digester 250 where methane gas is producedwhich can be a source of heat and electrical energy generation to eitherrun the operation of the centrifugal fluid filtration system, provideelectricity to municipal systems, or both. The remaining output from theanaerobic digester are digested biosolids, which are transferred to astorage container 252 from which they can be sold as fertilizer or usedas landfill. With this overview of the system of the invention, it canbe appreciated that many of the current operations of wastewatertreatment facility can be eliminated, as shown in FIG. 2 b. Thus, up tofive separate operations can be eliminated which results in substantialtime savings in processing water. Additionally, the elimination of up tofive separate operations can also result in an estimated electric/energysavings of up to 66%. These include, for example, replacing the primarytreatment 209, secondary treatment 215, and final disinfectant stages221, including the numerous and substantially sized sedimentation lagoon214, 214′, aeration lagoon 217, stabilization lagoon 216, 216′ anddewatering system 218 which removes water from sludge. Additionally,chlorination 219 can be eliminated as a disinfectant as a result of theuse of UV 246. The elimination of chlorination, in turn eliminates theneed to dechlorinate, which is required after chlorination because ofchlorine's residual effects on the environment and marine life.Dechlorination, however, is not without its drawbacks and elimination ofthe chlorination-dechlorination cycle altogether is a desirable outcomewhich is achieved in this system.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the fluid processedaccording to the devices, systems and methods of the invention include,but are not limited to liquids, gases, and/or any mixture or combinationthereof. Thus, for example, a fluid/solid matrix can include a fluidthat is either a liquid or a gas, or any mixture or combination thereofthat contains constituents or solids, whether dissolved, suspended,settleable, particulate, or any combination thereof. Constituents orsolids can include, for example, those constituents that are or werecontained in the fluid/solid matrix whether dissolved, suspended,settleable, or particulates, as well as any combination thereof.

The influent, influent flow, and influent stream typically refer tofluid/solid matrices that enter a continuous or batch feed single passcentrifugal fluid filtration device that is adapted and configured tocontain one or more single pass filters or modular filter units for thepurpose of undergoing separation or filtration. The filter unit or unitsof the system typically include, for example, a single pass filter or afilter module in which the fluid and constituents within the fluid/solidmatrix can be separated in a single pass, such as the single passseparation of fluid from the fluid/solid matrix or the single passseparation of fluid and one or more constituents from the fluid/solidmatrix. Other suitable filters would be apparent to those of skill inthe art based on the teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, filters,permeable membranes, and separation medium includes any filter ormembrane made of any material that will allow fluid in the fluid/solidmatrix to pass, with or without constituents, through the porous mediumthereby effecting separation.

The filtration processes enabled by the invention allow fluid in afluid/solids matrix or fluid and one or more constituents in afluid/solid matrix to be separated by a separation medium.

Unlike current solutions that trap and/or adsorb components that are toolarge to pass through the pores of a separation medium to produce afilter cake, this system is able to process large constituents as aresult of the enhanced Coriolis effect.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing a filtration spectrum which illustrates therelative size of elements that are filtered as well as the process forseparation.

FIGS. 4A-C are side views showing the flow of the matrix to be treatedthrough a fluid filtration device 400 according to various embodimentsof the invention. FIG. 4A shows generally fluid monitoring andbalancing, FIG. 4B fluid monitoring in further detail, and FIG. 4 cillustrates components of the system. In operation, a non-rotatinginfluent, e.g., wastewater flows from a non-rotating influent tube 402,is attachable to a liquid/air tight union 404, which in turn isattachable to a rotating influent feed tube 406. Positioned within therotating influent feed tube 406 are one or more twisted influent vanes408 which can be adapted and configured to transfer some of the influentmotion as energy to the operation of the spinning centrifuge. Thistransfer of motion can, for example, assist in spinning of thecentrifuge. The use of a centrifuge in the design of the system providesan energy efficient method for generating water head pressure whichenables filtering a fluid, such as wastewater, with less energy, time,space and cost.

Additionally, a flared section 410 may be provided at the bottom ofinfluent feed tube 406 along with a cone shaped section 412 within theinfluent receiving bowl 414. This configuration produces a curvilinearflow path through the system away from the axis of rotation A. When therotating influent enters the influent bowl 414 it may flow away from theaxis of rotation in a curvilinear flow path in an attempt to equalizethe flow. Within the receiving bowl 414 there may be speed enhancingvanes 416 that cause the influent to approach and/or equal a rotationspeed of the centrifuge (which is comprised of all the components of thedevice excluding the collection rings), prior to or at the time theinfluent enters the first filter unit influent receiving conduits 504 inFIG. 5A. The receiving bowl 414 has an aperture or opening in its sidewall that communicates with an aperture in the radial arm 502 throughwhich the receiving bowl influent (which becomes receiving bowl effluentas it leaves the receiving bowl) travels into the radial arm. If firstfilter unit influent receiving conduit 504 is not attached to theinfluent bowl 414 but is attachable to a radial arm 502, the influentwill still flow through first filter unit influent receiving conduit504. In some embodiments, first filter unit influent receiving conduit504 can be attachable to radial arm 502. However, as will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, it could be attachable to either one of theinfluent bowl 414 or the radial arm 502. Within first filter unitinfluent receiving conduit 504 there may be twisted influent vanes 506that may cause the influent to rotate, prior to entering the firstfilter unit filtration/concentration chambers 508. These twistedinfluent vanes 506 may cause additional, dynamic turbulences (e.g.,Coriolis forces) across the filters 510 in the first filter unit 512.The Coriolis acceleration should provide an antifouling influence on thefilters in the rotating separation systems.

FIGS. 5A-E illustrate a radial arm component of the fluid filtrationsystem from a top-down view. The radial arm 502 can be integrated andattachable, in two or more arms, to a centrifuge rotor centrallypositioned. The radial arms 502 rotate about a central axis A, which canbe a vertical axis of rotation. The radial arms 502 are balanced suchthat when in operation flow is optimized and balance is maintained. Eachradial arm 502 is further comprised of component parts which include oneor more of the following: a first influent receiving conduit 504, whichcan be attached to a filter unit; a first filter unit 512, a firstfiltration or concentration chamber 508, a first effluent chamber 514, afirst concentrate controlled through-orifice 428, an effluent/influentchamber 516, a second influent receiving conduit 520, a second filterunit 522, a second filtration or concentration chamber 524, a secondeffluent chamber 528, an effluent controlled flow-through orifice 430,and a second concentrate controlled flow-through orifice 420.

The centrifugal fluid filtration device has an influent flow capabilitythat is comprised of a fluid or solid matrix in which a fluid can beeither a liquid or a gas. Furthermore, the fluid or solid matrix can beeither dissolved, suspended, or settleable (i.e., capable of falling outof solution). The influent flow capability provides for the influentflow to be aligned parallel with an axis A of rotation, such as avertical axis. The influent enters along the axis from above.Furthermore, the influent is perpendicular to a dynamically balancedhorizontal spinning rotor, which in turn may be comprised of one or morepieces. Providing the influent flow from above facilitates removal offluids from a continuously fed fluid or solid matrix. The influent canfurthermore be selectively separated to remove solids as well as toaccommodate a wide range of volumes. Additionally, the concentration ofthe removed solids can be control by controlling the centrifugation.Additionally, the concentration of the removed solids can be controlledby a concentrate controlled flow-through orifice 428, 430 (FIG. 4 c).

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the influententering the system can be rotating or non-rotating. Where the influentis non-rotating, it can have a fixed or variable pressure vertical flowand the influent flow can be from either above, below or both.Additionally, the non-rotating influent flow can flow into the fluidfiltration device through, for example, a non-rotating influent tube.The non-rotating influent tube can be configured such that it alignswith and is parallel to the vertical axis of rotation of a centrifuge.Furthermore, the influent tube can be attachable to a rotating liquid orair tight union. Typically, the influent tube receives fixed or variablepressure influent from a source, such as a municipal sewage pipe.Sensors may be provided that are attached to the influent tube and whichmay sense one or more of volume, pressure, constituent and/or CODconcentration.

In some embodiments, the liquid or air tight union is rotating and isconfigured to attach to a non-rotating influent tube and a rotatinginfluent feed tube. In this configuration, the rotating union receivesfixed or variable pressure influent from the non-rotating influent tube.The rotating influent feed tube can be configured such that it isattachable to a rotating liquid or air tight union which in turn isattachable to a non-rotating influent feed tube and a rotating influentfeed tube and is adapted to receive fixed or variable pressure influentfrom a non-rotating influent tube. A rotating influent feed tube, whichis attachable to the rotating liquid or air tight union and influentreceiving bowl can be adapted to receive fixed or variable pressureinfluent from the rotating liquid or air tight union. Additionally,vanes may be provided in the interior of the feed tube. The vanes can beof a number, size and shape. Typically, the vanes are adapted andconfigured to enhance separation of the medium flux and reduce foulingand concentration polarization. Additionally, influent pressure on vanesmay assist in spinning the centrifuge, thereby reducing the energyrequired to power the centrifuge.

The attachable radial arm segments 502 can be attachable to a spinninginfluent receiving bowl 414 and a dynamically balanced horizontalspinning rotor. The system 400 can be enclosed such that the radial arm502 can separate and remove fluids from a fluid/solid matrix byfiltration. Furthermore, the closed system can be adapted and configuredto selectively separate solids from a fluid/solid matrix byconcentrating and removing the solids from the system. Furthermore, theradial arm 502 may contain one or more first filter units 512 and/orsubsequent filter units which may be in series, in parallel, or acombination thereof. One or more second influent/first effluent chambersand/or subsequent influent/effluent chambers can also be provided forreceiving filtered fluid. The attachable radial arm is further adaptedto remove fluids from a continuously fed fluid/solid matrix. The radialarm separately separates and removes solids from the matrix and isfurther adapted to selectively accommodate a wide range of fluid orsolids volumes. Furthermore, selective control of the concentration ofthe removed solids is achievable.

An influent receiving bowl can be provided that is attachable to therotating influent feed tube and is adapted and configured to engage thealgorithmically balanced centrifuge rotor. The receiving bowl receivesrotating influent from the rotating influent feed tube. The rotatinginfluent flows away from the axis of rotation in the receiving bowl in acurvilinear flow path. Furthermore, vanes may be provided in a number,size and shape as previously described. Furthermore, the vanes can beadapted and configured such that the influent pressure on the vanesassists in spinning the centrifuge, as with other embodiments, therebyfurther reducing the energy requirement to power the centrifuge. As willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art, centrifugally generatedforces may continue to transform the influent flow into ahigher-pressure horizontal multi-g radial influent flow. Furthermorerotation speed of the influent can be controlled such that it approachesand/or equals the rotation speed of the centrifuge.

Two or more influent deflectors can be provided that align, direct anddistribute influent from an influent receiving bowl into a coincidentinfluent receiving conduit. The deflectors can also be adapted andconfigured to align the influent from an influent/effluent (filteredfluid) chamber into a coincident influent receiving conduit. Theinfluent receiving conduit can further be adapted and configured toorient and prepare the influent prior to entry into the filter unit. Thesides of each influent receiving conduit can also be configured suchthat the layers are parallel to the innermost surface (skin) of thefilters in each filter unit. Thus, the influent detectors facilitatefurther removal of fluid from a continuously fed fluid/solid matrix.Furthermore, selective separation and removal of solids from acontinuously fed fluid/solid matrix is facilitated while accommodating awide range of fluid/solid volumes. Furthermore, as with other sectionsof the radial arm, selective control of the concentration of the removalsolids is possible.

The first filter unit influent receiving conduit can be adapted toreceive higher-pressure horizontal radial influent flow from influentreceiving bowl. Typically, the first filter unit receiving conduit isattachable to the first filter unit or attachable to the influentreceiving bowl, depending on the configuration. The actual configurationfor attaching the first filter unit influent receiving conduit can varydepending upon the specifications.

Vanes can also be provided in the filter unit which, as with othervanes, can vary in number size and shape to enhance Coriolisacceleration to increase flux and to reduce fouling and concentrationpolarization. The first filter unit is attachable to a radial arm andfirst filter unit influent receiving conduit. Alternatively, the firstfilter unit is attachable to the influent receiving bowl if the firstfilter unit influent receiving conduit is attached to the first filterunit. The actual location of the first filter unit can be varieddepending upon the specification of the system. One or more filters canalso be provided. The height, and width and other specifications offilters can be variety as required. A second filter unit and filtrationconcentrate chamber can be provided which has an effective widthdetermined by the specification of the system. Fluid and permeableconstituents will flow tangentially through each separation medium intoa respective first filter unit effluent chamber as a result ofcentrifugally generated multi-g radial forces, which creates atrans-membrane pressure. Additionally, non-permeable constituentsconcentrated in each filtration/concentration chamber also flowsunobstructed under centrifugally generated multi-g radial forces throughpiping, to a common first filter unit concentrate controlledflow-through orifice.

One or more first filter unit effluent chambers are provided which havean effective width of one or more filters, along with the resultantvolume. The actual dimensions of the first filter unit effluent chambersare determined from the specification. Back-flush capability can beprovided, as needed. The back-flush capability may also balance therotor during operation. Back-flushing can be performed manually,automatically or semi-automatically. Additionally, back-flushing can besequentially performed. Furthermore, the volume within the effluentchambers may be less than, equal to, or greater than the mass volume ofthe filters. The smaller the effluent chamber volume, the smaller thetotal volume required to achieve any desired back-flush ratio. The firstfilter unit effluent chamber is further adapted to receive effluent fromseparation medium, as required. Furthermore, effluent flows freely undercentrifugally generated multi-g radial forces into commoneffluent/influent chamber.

A first filter unit concentrate controlled flow-through orifice can beprovided that is adapted and configured to receive constituentconcentrate under centrifugally generated multi-g radial forces. Theconstituent concentrate is received through piping, from one or morefirst filter unit concentration chambers. The first filer unit canquantitatively regulate volume flow and/or constituent concentration, asdesirable. Additionally, the first filer unit can be adapted andconfigured for manual control and/or algorithm control, such as by acomputer network. Sensors may be attached to the piping, before or afterthe orifice, in any order. Suitable sensors include, but are not limitedto concentrate volume sensors, and constituent concentration sensors.The constituent concentrate flows freely—under centrifugally generatedmulti-g radial forces—into a common first concentrate collection ring,which is adapted and configured to receive constituent concentrate—undercentrifugally generated multi-g radial forces—through piping from thefirst filter unit concentrate controlled flow-through orifice. Thisconfiguration enables the concentrate to flow freely out of the system,where it can be, for example, transported to a landfill or otherlocation, to be determined by the operator or end user.

An effluent/influent chamber can also be provided. The effluent/influentchamber can be adapted and configured to receive effluent from firstfilter unit effluent chamber. The chamber can also become an influentchamber for the second filter unit. Furthermore, fluidhead—effluent/influent meniscus—can be provided between second and firstfilter unit. The fluid head can, for example, be integrated from theoutside radius of the separation medium in the second filter unit to theinside radius of the effluent chamber in the first filter unit.Variation in the measured fluid head, when applied to the centrifugallygenerated multi-g radial forces, can increase or decrease the flux offluid across the separation medium in the second filter unit.

Typically, the first filter unit and the second filter unit are balancedto improve fluid flow. As the effluent/influent meniscus approaches theinside radius of the first filter unit effluent chamber, a build-up ofback pressure across the separation medium can cause a decrease in fluidflux in that filter unit. However, when the effluent/influent meniscusreaches the inside radius of the first filter unit effluent chamber, theflux across the separation medium in that filter unit will equal theflux across the separation medium in the second filter unit. Fluid flowwill then be in balance between the first and second filter units.

A second filter unit influent receiving conduit can also be providedthat receives influent from an effluent/influent chamber. The secondfilter unit influent receiving conduit can further comprise vanes in itsinterior, the number, size and shape of which are selected to enhanceCoriolis acceleration to increase separation medium flux and to reducefouling and concentration polarization of the filter. A second filterunit may also be provided that is attachable to the radial arm. Thesecond filter unit may contain one or more filters therein, with theheight and width of the filter determined from the specification. Fluidpermeable constituents, under centrifugally generated multi-g radialforces, flow tangentially through each separation medium into arespective second filter unit effluent chamber during use. Thiscentrifugally generated multi-g radial force creates trans membranepressure which facilitates the tangential flow of the effluent. Thenon-permeable constituents concentrated in each filtration/concentrationchamber can then flow unobstructed under the centrifugally generatedmulti-g radial forces through piping, to a common second filter unitconcentrate controlled flow-through orifice.

One or more second filter unit effluent chambers are provided which havean effective width and resultant volume which are determined fromspecification. Additionally, back-flush capability can also be provided,the extent of which will be determined from specification. The volumewithin the effluent chambers may be less than equal to, or greater than,the mass volume of the filters. By providing a smaller effluent chambervolume, a smaller total volume is required to achieve any desiredback-flush ratio of the system. The second filter unit effluent chamberis further adapted to receive effluent from separation medium. Inoperation, the effluent flows freely under centrifugally generatedmulti-g radial forces through piping, into a common effluent controlledflow-through orifice.

An effluent controlled flow-through orifice is provided that receiveseffluent under centrifugally generated multi-g radial forces throughpiping, from one or more second filter unit effluent chambers. Theeffluent controlled flow-through orifice is adapted to quantitativelyregulate and/or measure volume flow through the orifice. Additionally,as with other components of the system, the effluent controlled volumeflow can be manually controlled or algorithmically controlled. A varietyof sensors can also be provided which are attached to the piping before,within, or after the orifice, or combinations thereof. The sensorsinclude, for example, effluent volume sensors, constituent concentrationsensors. In operation, the effluent flows freely under centrifugallygenerated multi-g radial forces through the orifice into a commoneffluent collection ring.

The common effluent collection ring is adapted and configured to receiveeffluent under centrifugally generated multi-g radial forces throughpiping from effluent controlled flow-through orifice. In operation theeffluent flows freely out of the system where it can be furtherprocessed, or treated in a manner desired by the operator.

A second filter unit concentrate controlled flow-through orifice whichis adapted to receive constituent concentrate under centrifugallygenerated multi-g radial forces through piping, from one or more secondfilter unit concentration chambers can be provided to quantitativelyregulate volume flow and/or constituent concentration. The second filterunit concentration controlled flow-through orifice can also be manuallycontrolled or algorithmically controlled. Furthermore, one or moresensors can be provided in any order. Sensors include, for example,concentrate volume sensors and constituent concentration sensors. Inoperation, the constituent concentrate flows freely under centrifugallygenerated multi-g radial forces into a common second concentratecollection ring.

The second concentrate collection ring is adapted to receive constituentconcentrate from the second filter unit concentrate controlledflow-through orifice under centrifugally generated multi-g radialforces. The second collection ring enables concentrate to flow freelyout of the system where it can be gravity fed or pumped into ananaerobic digester or treated in another manner. The anaerobic digestercan further be configured to treat the concentrate received to producemethane to generate electricity and/or heat. The energy generated canthen be internally used to power the system and surplus energy can beprovided to, for example, the municipal power grid.

During the operation of the system, centrifugally generated multi-gradial forces are often associated with the constituents as they movethrough the system during operation. These forces are sensitive to thechanging rpm of the centrifuge and may be manually controlled and/oralgorithmically controlled. The trans-membrane pressure at any pointacross a separation medium in the system is equal to the radial g-forceat that point plus the pressure from the fluid head. For a fluid head atthe first filter unit, the fluid head is integrated from the outsideradius of the separation medium in the first filter unit and is measuredfrom the outside radius to the top of the rotating liquid/air tightunion. The influent head can further be measured from the top of therotating liquid/air tight union to the highest wastewater point sourceof the reservoir/piping coming into the centrifuge.

The system is configured to control quantitative effluent volume. Thecontrol of the effluent is determined by, for example, the waste waterprotocol. The protocol can be manually controlled or algorithmicallycontrolled to accommodate a broad range of influent volumes and/oreffluent volumes. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, inthe wastewater context, the effluent volumes are dependent upon thevolume of sewage flowing into the wastewater treatment plant. Thussewage volumes may vary from day to day, from week to week, from seasonto season, etc. In operation, a change in the RPM will cause a resultantchange in the trans-membrane pressure and flux across each separationmedium, in both the first and second filter units. Additionally, achange in influent pressure will cause a change in trans-membranepressure and flux across each separation medium, in the first filterunits provided. The change in the fluid head in the first filter unit,which can be measured from the outside radius of the separation mediumin the first filter unit to the top of the rotating liquid/air tightunion plus the influent head measured from the top of the rotatingliquid/air tight union to the highest wastewater point source of thereservoir/piping coming into the centrifuge, will cause a change intrans-membrane pressure and flux across each separation medium, in thefirst filter unit of the system. Further along in the system, a changein fluid head in the second filter units, determined from an integralmeasurement of the outside radius of the separation medium in the secondfilter units, to the meniscus; wherever it may be in theeffluent/influent chamber or in the first filter unit effluent chambers,can also be controlled.

A quantitative effluent volume (QE_(v)) can be calculated which equalsinfluent volume (I_(v)) minus first filter unit constituent concentratevolume (FCC_(v)) minus second filter unit constituent concentrate volume(SCC_(v)).

QE _(v) =I _(v) −FCC _(v) −SCC _(v)

This determination can be manually controlled and/or algorithmicallycontrolled.

Additionally, the effluent volume sensors can be provided to measureeffluent volume flow from the effluent control flow through orifice,which can be manually controlled and/or algorithmically controlled toproduce the desired effluent volume. An influent volume sensor can alsobe provided to measure influent volume flow prior to entering therotating liquid/air tight union. The first filter unit constituentconcentrate volume sensor can be adapted to measure the concentratevolume flow from the first filter unit constituent concentrateflow-through orifice. Additionally, first filter unit constituentconcentrate flow-through orifice can be manually controlled and/oralgorithmically controlled to produce the desired first filter unitconstituent concentrate volume. The second filter unit constituentconcentrate volume sensor may also be provided to measure theconcentrate volume flow, e.g. from the second filter unit constituentconcentrate flow-through orifice. This second filter unit constituentconcentrate flow-through orifice, as with other components to thesystem, may be manually controlled and/or algorithmically controlled toproduce a desired second filter unit constituent concentrate volume.

A wastewater protocol for quantitative constituent concentration volumecan be manually controlled or algorithmically controlled to accommodatea broad range of constituent concentrations in the influent. Typically,the influent constituent concentration equals the concentration of thoseconstituents in the sewage that flows into the wastewater treatmentplant. As a result, sewage volumes and constituent concentrations mayvary throughout the day, from day to day, from week to week, from seasonto season, etc. The quantitative constituent concentrate volume(QCC_(v)) can be controlled by controlling a value of the volume wherethe quantitative constituent concentrate volume equals first filter unitconstituent concentrate volume (FCC_(v)) plus second filter unitconstituent concentrate volume (SCC_(v))

QCC _(v) =FCC _(v) +SCC _(v)

The volume can be manually controlled and/or algorithmically controlledas with other processes in control of the system.

The first filter unit constituent concentrate volume sensor can measureconcentrate volume flow from the first filter unit constituentconcentrate control flow-through orifice. A second filter unitconstituent concentrate volume sensor can also be provided that measuresconcentrate volume flow from the second filter unit constituentconcentrate control flow-through orifice. These sensors can also bemanually controlled and/or algorithmically controlled to produce thedesired filter unit constituent concentrate volume, or any otherconstituent concentrate volume that may be required or desirable.

A further protocol for quantitative biodegradable chemical oxygen demand(“COD”) recovery can be provided for wastewater treatment. This protocolcan be manually controlled or algorithmically controlled to accommodatea broad range of biodegradable COD concentrations in the influent. Theinfluent COD concentrations are typically set to equal the concentrationof the COD in the sewage that flows into the wastewater treatment plant.However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the CODconcentrations can vary throughout the day, from day to day, from weekto week, from season to season, etc. To control the COD, a determinationis made of the COD in the concentrate volume (COD_(cv)) which equals thetotal COD in the influent volume processed (COD_(ivp)).

CODC_(cv)=COD_(ivp)

This process can be manually controlled and/or algorithmicallycontrolled, as with other processes controlling the system. Incontrolling the process, the final COD volume (FCOD_(v)) is controlledto equal the processed influent volume (PI_(v)), either through manualor algorithmic control.

FCODv=PI_(v)

An influent COD concentration sensor can be provided that measures theinfluent COD concentration prior to entering the rotating liquid/airtight union. This sensor can be placed at a location in the system thatis determined during the specification design phase. The sensor isadapted and configured to measure the average daily COD. This can beachieved by assaying a sample from the system one or more times within a24 hour period. A final COD concentration sensor can also be provided tomeasure the final COD concentration from the second filter unitconstituent concentration control flow-through orifice. This sensor canbe manually controlled and/or algorithmically controlled to produce aCOD concentration measurement that can be used to yield the maximummethane production from the anaerobic digester. Based on the measurementof the sensor, COD flows to the anaerobic digester can be controlled.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the filter units cantake on a variety of configurations without departing from the scope ofthe invention. Thus, for example, the first filter unit may contain oneor more of the following components: an influent receiving conduit;vanes associated with the influent receiving conduit; filters;filtration/concentration chambers; effluent chambers; concentrateflow-through orifices; concentrate volume sensors; constituentconcentration sensors. The second filter unit can also contain one ormore of the following components: effluent/influent chambers; influentreceiving conduits, which can be adapted to have vanes therein; filters;filtration/concentration chambers; effluent chambers; effluentcontrolled flow-through orifices; effluent volume sensors; effluentconstituent concentrate sensor; concentrate flow-through orifices;concentrate volume sensors; constituent concentration sensors.

Each radial arm component of the system can be adapted and configured tobe attachable to the influent receiving bowl, and/or the centrifugerotor, which may be dynamically balanced. Additionally, each radial armmay be adapted and configured such that it has one or more first filterunit influent receiving conduits, if the conduits are not attached tothe first filter units; first filter units; piping that is attachable tothe first filter unit concentrate controlled flow-through orifice orconcentrate volume sensor or constituent concentrate sensor and that isfurther adapted to slidingly attach to the first concentrate collectionring; a second filter unit; a piping attachable to the second filterunit concentrate controlled flow-through orifice or concentrate volumesensor or constituent concentration sensor which is slidingly attachedto the second concentrate collection ring; piping attachable to theeffluent controlled flow-through orifice or effluent volume sensor oreffluent constituent concentrate sensor and slidingly attachable to theeffluent collection ring. Two or more arms can be provided. The radialarms can be provided in multiples of two and attachable to both thereceiving/distribution bowl and the centrifuge rotor. Alternatively, theradial arms can be provided in multiples of two to four to the capacityof the rotor.

Filter back-flushing can also be provided at various points in thesystem which is manually controlled and/or algorithmically controlled.The control may be predetermined or may be determined by end user.Typically, the back-flush pressure is determined from thespecifications. Typically, sufficient pressure is provided to overcomethe influent pressure on the separation medium. A back-flush shut offcan also be provided, if desired. The back-flush shut off may beconfigured to shut-off with one or more of the effluent controlledflow-through orifice, the first filter unit controlled flow-throughorifice, or the second filter unit controlled flow-through orifice.

Back-flush fluid can also be provided which is from a suitable watersource, such as a clean water supply, effluent from the centrifugalfluid filtration device, or any other suitable source as determined bythe user. Additionally, steam, air or any other suitable material can beused to provide back-flush fluid to the system. The frequency ofback-flushing can be determined by the specification of the system andcontrolled by, for example, time or other factors, includingenvironmental factors. The back flush frequency can be manually and/orautomatically set to occur at pre-determined time levels, or in responseto sensor readings. The back-flush frequency is typically set tomaintain an overall maximum separation from the medium flux as it passesthrough the system. Thus, for example, whenever one of a pair of radialarms of the system has a separation medium flux that is inside oroutside a preset range, the back-flush can be performed to bring therange within specification. Additionally, if each radial arm of a systemis back-flushed for five minutes, where the system contains twelveradial arms, then each pair of radial arms will be back-flushed twotimes per hour. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, itmay be that the back-flushing frequency/interval may be hours, days,weeks, etc., before there is a sufficient reduction in the separationmedium flux. In that case, adjusting the rpm of the centrifuge may beall that will be required to maintain a stable flux. Thus, for example,if six pair of radial arms are in operation at the same time and at apredetermined rpm and one pair of radial arms is to be back-flushed, theRPM can be increased to maintain the original volume flow from theremaining five pair of radial arms.

Rotor imbalance settings and tolerances can be determined fromspecification. To determine rotor imbalance the effluent volume sensorin each radial arm may indicate when a pair of radial arms are out ofbalance. When an imbalance occurs that is beyond a preset range limit,back-flushing may begin to bring that pair of radial arms into balance.Furthermore, the system can be configured to provide a decrease inseparation medium flux. To achieve this decrease, the effluent volumesensor in each pair of radial arms is used to monitor the separationmedium flux to determine when back-blushing should occur.

Additionally, the system can be configured to provide sequentialback-flush capability. The sequential back-flush capability is achievedby sequentially, e.g., two opposed radial arms, back-flushing the radialarms while the remaining radial arms continue to perform their designedfilter operations. The sequential back flush capability has a back-flushratio based on a total mass volume of the separation medium in the firstand second filter units being used as the volume ratio basis forback-flushing. Thus, for example, the volume in the first and secondeffluent chambers may be sufficient to achieve the desiredback-flushing, or alternatively multiples of that volume as determinedfrom the specification may be needed.

Turning now to FIGS. 5C-E, FIG. 5 c illustrates an embodiment of theinvention from a top view where two radial arms 502 a, 502 b are used.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5D three radial arms 502 a, 502 b, 502 care used, and in the embodiment in FIG. 5E a plurality of radial arms502 a, 502 b . . . 502 n are used. The number of radial arms used in aparticular embodiment can vary depending on the system requirements andis not limited to the illustrations shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid filtration system600 of the invention with stacked rotors. The system is designed to havea series of stacked, alternating, rotating and non-rotating segments.Influent 602 flow can be provided on demand. By providing on demandcapability, the system 600 can adjust to changes in the volume ofinfluent flow as it may change from time to time, e.g., during atwenty-four hour cycle, influent of wastewater will be higher in themorning, for example, than it would be late in the evening. The RPM of aspinning rotor 634 can be adjusted to produce a rate of filtration andseparation that correlates with the changing influent volume flow. Thisfeature enables removal of fluids from a continuously fed fluid/solidmatrix. Additionally, selective separation and removal of solids from afluid or solid matrix can be achieved as well as the selectiveaccommodation of a wide range of fluid/solid volumes. By controlling theRPM additional control can be achieved over the concentration of theremoved solids. The system can have batch feed capabilities, dependingupon the specifications and needs of the end user. Alternatively, thesystem can accommodate a continuous feed, or semi-continuous feed as thecase may be.

A stationary influent feed tube is attachable to a spinning influentfeed tube 604, such as by a rotating liquid or air tight union. Thestationary influent feed tube 604 is adapted to feed influent 602 into aspinning influent receiving bowl 614. Thereafter, the spinning influentfeed tube 604 is attachable to a spinning influent receiving bowl 614.The spinning influent feed tube 604 is adapted and configured to feedinfluent 602 into the spinning influent receiving bowl 614. Furthermore,the spinning influent receiving bowl 614 is attachable to and rotateswith a dynamically balanced horizontal spinning rotor 634. The spinninginfluent feed tube 604 and/or the spinning influent receiving bowl 614can further be adapted to contain internal anti-vortex vanes that areadapted and configured to reduce and/or eliminate influent turbulencewhen influent is fed into the feed tube or receiving bowl. Furthermore,the spinning influent receiving bowl 614 can be further adapted andconfigured to feed influent into one or more attachable radial armsegments not shown in FIG. 6. The influent feed tube 604 and influentreceiving bowl 614 thus are adapted and configured to remove fluids froma continuously fed fluid/solid matrix by selectively separating andremoving solids from a continuously fed fluid/solid matrix. Furthermore,the size and configuration of the influent feed tube 604 and influentreceiving bowl 614 can be selectively modified to accommodate a widerange of fluid or solid volumes as desired. Furthermore, the influentfeed tube 604 and the influent receiving bowl 614 can be adapted andconfigured to selectively control the concentration of the removedsolids during the centrifugation filtering process. A plurality ofrotating 660 and non-rotating 662 sections can be provided whichprogressively clean the water as it moves through the system from top tobottom. At each level outlets are provided through which the undigestedbiosolids are transferred out of the centrifugal fluid filtration system600 to, for example, the anaerobic digester. Typically, it will beexpected that each of the components as well as the fluid/solid matrixwill rotate in the same direction, e.g. clockwise or counter-clockwiseabout a central axis disposed within, for example, a discrete componentof the system. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, in some instances components and/or fluid/solid matrix containedtherein may, from time-to-time, rotate in opposing directions or appearto rotate in opposing directions where, for example, components are inseries but positioned parallel one another.

Each level incorporates a radial arm 602 that can be integrated andattachable, in two or more arms, to a centrifuge rotor centrallypositioned, a first influent receiving bowl 614, which communicates witha first filtration pipe 606, and first filtration concentration pipe608, a non-rotating effluent/influent chamber 616. At each level,concentrates can exit the influent receiving bowl 614 after filtrationas concentrate which can then be collected separately or combined in anycombination. As the system is stacked additional influent receivingbowls 614′ 614″, filtration pipes 606′, 606″, filtration concentrationpipes 608′, 608″ and non-rotating effluent/influent chambers 616′, 616″can be provided at each level.

FIGS. 7A-C illustrate side view of an embodiment using collection rings.Dirty water enters the system from the top into a spinning rotor. Thefiltration process in this configuration occurs as described in FIGS.3-5, above. Below the spinning rotor is an effluent collection ring 704for collecting the clean water, a collection ring 702 for collectinggrit having a particle size greater than 20 μm (micron), and acollection ring 706 for collecting undigested wastewater solids. Thecollection rings are in turn connected to a clean water source, such asbays, rivers and ocean, an anaerobic digester, or a landfill.

FIG. 8 illustrates a filtration housing unit 800 for any of thefiltration devices disclosed above including an inlet for influent 810,an outlet for effluent 820, and outlets for an aerobic digester 830 andlandfill 840. The dimension of the device is scaleable and variable tothe application. However, the device is capable of efficientlyprocessing a volume adjustable to 500,000 gallons/day per unit in anindoor space of, for example, approximately 7×7′ with a height of 3′without the control mechanism. A space of approximately, 14′×14′×10′ canbe used to house the system. The device eliminates the need for settlingand aeration ponds, described above in FIG. 1. Additionally, the smallsize and ability to locate in an indoor facility further resolvessecurity issues that currently surround wastewater treatment facilitiesand makes the devices feasible in a plurality of locations within acommunity, obviating the need for one large multiple acre facility in aremote location.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram for manual or algorithmic control ofthe system. Algorithmic control can be automatic or semi-automatic asdesired. For influent/effluent flow on demand capability the rpm of thecentrifuge 688 can be adjusted and controlled 602 manually oralgorithmically to balance a broad range of influent volumes and/oreffluent volumes. The influent volume is measured by the influent volumesensor 418 and the effluent volume is controlled by the effluent controlflow-through orifice 420 and measured by the effluent volume sensor 422.Other measurements and controls include first filter constituent controlflow-through orifice 428, first filter constituent volume sensor 424,second filter constituent control flow-through orifice 430, and secondfilter constituent volume sensor 426. Additional filter controlflow-through and volume sensor units may be added as needed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, quantitative recoverycapability is possible. Quantitative recovery capability may be manuallyor algorithmically controlled, for example, see FIG. 9, for effluentvolume, constituent volume, or constituent concentration and/orbiodegradable COD. The quantitative effluent volume measured at 422 andcontrolled by the effluent controlled flow-through orifice 420 is equalto the influent volume measured at 418 minus the first filter unitconstituent concentrate volume (1^(st) fucc (filter unit constituentconcentrate)) measured at 424 minus the 2^(nd) fucc volume measured at426. The total quantitative constituent volume may be measured at the1^(st) fucc volume sensor 424 and controlled by the 1^(st) fucccontrolled flow-through orifice 428 plus the 2^(nd) fucc volume measuredat 426 and controlled by the 2^(nd) fucc controlled flow-through orifice430. The quantitative constituent and/or biodegradable COD may becontrolled by first measuring the concentrate (w/v) at the influentconstituent and/or COD concentration sensor at 418 and adjusting 430 toachieve the desired final COD concentration. Where adjusting 428 and 430will achieve the desired final total constituent concentration measuredat 424 and 426 respectively.

FIG. 10 illustrates a network environment 100 for controlling the systemin which the techniques described may be controlled and/or monitored.The network environment 100 has a network 102, such as an Internetconnection, that connects one or more servers 104-1 through 104-S, andone or more clients 108-1 through 108-C. FIGS. 11A-B illustrate acomputer system 200, which may be representative of any of the clientsand/or servers shown in FIG. 10, as well as, devices, clients, andservers in other Figures.

Referring back to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 illustrates a network environment 100in which the techniques described may be controlled and/or monitored.The network environment 100 has a network 102 that connects servers104-1 through 104-S, and clients 108-1 through 108-C. As shown, severalcomputer systems in the form of servers 104-1 through 104-S and clients108-1 through 108-C are connected to each other via a network 102, whichmay be, for example, a corporate based network. Note that alternativelythe network 102 might be or include one or more of: the Internet, aLocal Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), satellite link, fibernetwork, cable network, or a combination of these and/or others. Theservers may represent, for example, disk storage systems alone orstorage and computing resources. Likewise, the clients may havecomputing, storage, and viewing capabilities. The method and apparatusdescribed herein may be applied to essentially any type of visualcommunicating means or device whether local or remote, such as a LAN, aWAN, a system bus, etc. Thus, the invention may find application at boththe S servers 104-1 through 104-S, and C clients 108-1 through 108-C.

Referring back to FIGS. 11A-B, FIGS. 11A-B illustrates a computer system200, which may be representative of any of the clients and/or serversshown in FIG. 10. The computer system 200 may be configured to operateautomatically or semi-automatically after initiation. The system caninclude a works station 240 operated by a user 242 who is either locatedwithin the wastewater treatment facility, or remotely located to thefacility and connected by a server, e.g. through the Internet. The blockdiagram is a high level conceptual representation and may be implementedin a variety of ways and by various architectures. Bus system 202interconnects a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 204, Read Only Memory(ROM) 206, Random Access Memory (RAM) 208, storage 210, display 220 (forexample, embodiments of the present invention), CD or DVD 207capability, audio, 222, keyboard 224, pointer or mouse 226,miscellaneous input/output devices 228, and communications 230. The bussystem 202 may be for example, one or more of such buses as a systembus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Advanced Graphics Port(AGP), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard number 1394 (Firewire),Universal Serial Bus (USB), etc. The CPU 204 may be a single, multiple,or even a distributed computing resource. Storage 210, may be CompactDisc (CD), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), hard disks (HD), optical disks,tape, flash, memory sticks, video recorders, etc. Comm 230 via 232 mightbe, for example, controlling an embodiment of the present invention,such as, but not limited to rpm, orifice control, etc. Note thatdepending upon the actual implementation of a computer system, thecomputer system may include some, all, more, or a rearrangement ofcomponents in the block diagram. For example, a thin client mightconsist of a wireless hand held device that lacks, for example, atraditional keyboard. Thus, many variations on the system of FIGS. 11A-Bare possible.

Some portions of the description of the operation of the systemsdisclosed may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolicrepresentations of operations on, for example, data bits within acomputer memory. Typically, algorithmic descriptions and representationsare the means used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others ofordinary skill in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of acts leading to a desiredresult. The acts are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the discussion, it isappreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing termssuch as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or“displaying” or the like, can refer to the action and processes of acomputer system, or similar electronic computing device, thatmanipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic)quantities within the computer system's registers and memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputer system memories or registers or other such information storage,transmission, or display devices.

An apparatus for performing the operations herein can implement thepresent invention. This apparatus may be specially constructed for therequired purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer,selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of diskincluding floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, compact disk-readonly memories (CD-ROMs), and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories(ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), electrically programmableread-only memories (EPROM)s, electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), FLASH memories, magnetic or optical cards,etc., or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructionseither local to the computer or remote to the computer.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the required method. For example, any of themethods according to the present invention can be implemented inhard-wired circuitry, by programming a general-purpose processor, or byany combination of hardware and software. One of ordinary skill in theart will immediately appreciate that the invention can be practiced withcomputer system configurations other than those described, includinghand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, digital signal processing (DSP)devices, set top boxes, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network.

The methods of the invention may be implemented using computer software.If written in a programming language conforming to a recognizedstandard, sequences of instructions designed to implement the methodscan be compiled for execution on a variety of hardware platforms and forinterface to a variety of operating systems. In addition, the presentinvention is not described with reference to any particular programminglanguage. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languagesmay be used to implement the teachings of the invention as describedherein. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak of software, inone form or another (e.g., program, procedure, application, driver,etc.), as taking an action or causing a result. Such expressions aremerely a shorthand way of saying that execution of the software by acomputer causes the processor of the computer to perform an action orproduce a result.

It is to be understood that various terms and techniques are used bythose knowledgeable in the art to describe communications, protocols,applications, implementations, mechanisms, etc. One such technique isthe description of an implementation of a technique in terms of analgorithm or mathematical expression. That is, while the technique maybe, for example, implemented as executing code on a computer, theexpression of that technique may be more aptly and succinctly conveyedand communicated as a formula, algorithm, or mathematical expression.Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a block denotingA+B=C as an additive function whose implementation in hardware and/orsoftware would take two inputs (A and B) and produce a summation output(C). Thus, the use of formula, algorithm, or mathematical expression asdescriptions is to be understood as having a physical embodiment in atleast hardware and/or software (such as a computer system in which thetechniques of the present invention may be practiced as well asimplemented as an embodiment).

A machine-readable medium is understood to include any mechanism forstoring or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine(e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes readonly memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storagemedia; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical,acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves,infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); etc.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the steps of a method for controllingthe system generally at 1000 in block diagram form. At 1002 an influentis introduced into a receiving bowl or container. At 1004 surfaces areadjusted, such as, but not limited to vanes, to achieve a desired degreeof influent turbulence. At 1006 the centrifugal filtration device isadjusted based on the influent flow. At 1008 the orifices are adjustedto achieve a flow-through concentration. Thus a method and apparatus forcentrifugal filtration have been described.

The devices, systems and methods of the invention are optimized toefficiently and cost-effectively treat, for example, wastewater whilesimultaneously producing energy and reducing green house gas output. Itis projected that the impact of the devices, systems and methods can besummarized by industry in Table 1 where there is a 66% reduction ofenergy consumption in municipal wastewater treatment systems, 10-25%reduction in energy consumption in the industrial and agriculturalsector, and 40-60% reduction in waster usage in the food processingsector.

TABLE 1 Summary of Clean Energy Technologies Projected Potential byElectricity Production Emissions Reduction (metric ton) Technology(GWh/year) CO₂ NO_(x) SO_(x) Hg Anaerobic Digestion - 300 0.16 199 6950.00 Industrial WW Anaerobic Digestion - 1,400 0.82 993 3,478 0.02Agriculture WW Anaerobic Digestion - 7,200 4.20 5,091 17,835 0.09Municipal WW TOTAL: 8,900 5.18 6,283 22,008 0.11 (NOTE: CO₂ @ millionmetric tons)

Thus, from TABLE 1, the annual electricity potential in GWh is more thanthe 2005 production of Hoover Dam (3233), Glen Canyon Dam (3209), andShasta Dam (1806), combined. The electricity production of 8900 GWh/yearis roughly equivalent to 15.9 million barrels of oil and an emissionreduction equivalent to 1.2 million cars off the road. Thus, per gallonof fluid filtered, the devices, systems and methods of this inventionmay achieve up to a 66% reduction energy demand with a correspondingreduction in green house gas emission.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

1. A fluid filtration device comprising: an influent feed tube; aninfluent receiving bowl in fluid communication with the influent feedtube; and a plurality of radial arms having filters therein configuredto rotate about an axis within the influent receiving bowl.
 2. The fluidfiltration device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of radial arms is twoor more radial arms.
 3. The fluid filtration device of claim 1 furthercomprising a controller for controlling a rate at which the radial armsrotate about the axis.
 4. The fluid filtration device of claim 1 furthercomprising one or more vanes positioned within one or more of theinfluent feed tube and radial arms to control the speed and direction oftravel of the influent.
 5. The fluid filtration device of claim 1wherein the vanes are configured to enhance a Coriolis effect on theinfluent which has an antifouling effect as the influent crosses thefilters disposed within the radial arms.
 6. The fluid filtration deviceof claim 1 further comprising an anaerobic digester in communicationwith the fluid filtration device.
 7. The fluid filtration device ofclaim 6 wherein the anaerobic digester generates methane from anundigested biosolid received from the fluid filtration device.
 8. Thefluid filtration device of claim 1 further comprising a disinfector fordisinfecting a filtered fluid effluent prior to emission.
 9. The fluidfiltration device of claim 1 wherein the fluid filtration device is influid communication with a water supply external to the fluid filtrationdevice.
 10. The fluid filtration device of claim 9 wherein the watersupply is selected from the group consisting of an ocean, bay, river,stream, lake or subterranean water table.
 11. The fluid filtrationdevice of claim 1 further comprising one or more sensors
 12. The fluidfiltration device of claim 11 wherein the sensors communicate a sensedparameter to a controller.
 13. The fluid filtration device of claim 1wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of liquids andgases.
 14. A fluid filtration device comprising: an influent feed tube;an influent receiving bowl in fluid communication with the influent feedtube; a plurality of radial arms having filters therein configured torotate about an axis within the influent receiving bowl; and one or morevanes which increase an efficiency with which fluid is transferredthrough the filtration device.
 15. The fluid filtration device of claim14 wherein the plurality of radial arms is two or more radial arms. 16.The fluid filtration device of claim 14 further comprising a controllerfor controlling a rate at which the radial arms rotate about the axis.17. The fluid filtration device of claim 14 wherein the vanes arepositioned within one or more of the influent feed tube and radial armsto control the speed and direction of travel of the influent.
 18. Thefluid filtration device of claim 14 wherein the vanes are configured toenhance a Coriolis effect on the influent which has an antifoulingeffect as the influent crosses the filters disposed within the radialarms.
 19. The fluid filtration device of claim 14 further comprising ananaerobic digester in communication with the fluid filtration device.20. The fluid filtration device of claim 19 wherein the anaerobicdigester generates methane from an undigested biosolid received from thefluid filtration device.
 21. The fluid filtration device of claim 14further comprising a disinfector for disinfecting a filtered fluideffluent prior to emission.
 22. The fluid filtration device of claim 14wherein the fluid filtration device is in fluid communication with awater supply external to the fluid filtration device.
 23. The fluidfiltration device of claim 22 wherein the water supply is selected fromthe group consisting of an ocean, bay, river, stream, lake orsubterranean water table.
 24. The fluid filtration device of claim 14further comprising one or more sensors
 25. The fluid filtration deviceof claim 24 wherein the sensors communicate a sensed parameter to acontroller.
 26. The fluid filtration device of claim 14 wherein thefluid is selected from the group consisting of liquids and gases.
 27. Afluid filtration device comprising: an influent feed tube; an influentreceiving bowl in fluid communication with the influent feed tube; and acentrifugal filter that generates a final effluent; wherein the fluidfiltration device has a capacity selected from the group consisting of(a) tens of milliliters of a liquid per minute; (b) tens of cubic metersof gases per minute; (c) hundreds of thousands of gallons of a liquidper day; and (d) millions of cubic meters of gases per day.
 28. Thefluid filtration device of claim 27 wherein the centrifugal filterfurther comprises a plurality of radial arms.
 29. The fluid filtrationdevice of claim 27 further comprising a controller for controlling arate at which the fluid filtration device processes fluid.
 30. The fluidfiltration device of claim 29 further comprising one or more vanespositioned within one or more of the influent feed tube and radial armsto control the speed and direction of travel of the influent.
 31. Thefluid filtration device of claim 30 wherein the vanes are configured toenhance a Coriolis effect on the influent which has an antifoulingeffect as the influent crosses the filters disposed within the radialarms.
 32. The fluid filtration device of claim 27 further comprising andanaerobic digester in communication with the fluid filtration device.33. The fluid filtration device of claim 32 wherein the anaerobicdigester generates methane from an undigested biosolid received from thefluid filtration device.
 34. The fluid filtration device of claim 27further comprising a disinfector for disinfecting a filtered fluideffluent prior to emission.
 35. The fluid filtration device of claim 27wherein the fluid filtration device is in fluid communication with awater supply external to the fluid filtration device.
 36. The fluidfiltration device of claim 35 wherein the water supply is selected fromthe group consisting of an ocean, bay, river, stream, or subterraneanwater table.
 37. The fluid filtration device of claim 27 furthercomprising one or more sensors
 38. The fluid filtration device of claim37 wherein the sensors communicate a sensed parameter to a controller.39. A fluid filtration device comprising: an influent feed tube; aninfluent receiving bowl in fluid communication with the influent feedtube; and a centrifugal filter that generates a final effluent; whereinthe fluid filtration device receives energy from the influent during thefiltering process.
 40. A fluid filtration device comprising: an influentfeed tube; an influent receiving bowl in fluid communication with theinfluent feed tube; and a centrifugal filter that generates a finaleffluent; wherein the fluid filtration device achieves an energyefficiency of between 10-70%.
 41. A waste water treatment systemcomprising: an influent feed tube; an influent receiving bowl in fluidcommunication with the influent feed tube; and a centrifugal filter thatgenerates a final effluent; wherein the wastewater treatment system doesnot have one or more of a sedimentation tank, a stabilization tank, anaeration tank, a chlorination basin, or a dewatering processor.
 42. Aradial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtration device comprising:an aperture at a first end for receiving a matrix; one or more filterscontained therein for filtering the matrix; a connector for engaging thefluid filtration device.
 43. The radial filtration arm for use in afluid filtration device of claim 42 wherein a face of the filter isparallel to a radial vector.
 44. The radial filtration arm for use in afluid filtration device of claim 42 wherein a radial vector bisects thefilter.
 45. The radial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtrationdevice of claim 42 comprising two or more filters in parallel.
 46. Theradial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtration device of claim 42comprising two or more filters in series.
 47. The radial filtration armfor use in a fluid filtration device of claim 42 comprising an influentconduit that enhances a Coriolis force of the radial filtration arm. 48.The radial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtration device of claim42 wherein the arm achieves a balanced flow between a first and secondfilter.
 49. The radial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtrationdevice of claim 42 wherein the radial arm engages a fluid filtrationdevice.
 50. The radial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtrationdevice of claim 49 wherein the radial arm is attachable to a bowl. 51.The radial filtration arm for use in a fluid filtration device of claim49 wherein the radial arm is attachable to a centrifuge rotor.